Tell me about thermals

[RamblingRosa]

I know it's not really a very stylish topic but I'm bloody freezing and I need some serious thermals. I've got a few thermal camisole vests but I think I need to venture into the world of thermal leggings and long sleeve tops. What I really need is something that will keep my hands and feet warm. I've got thermal socks but they're not doing the trick. I've got bad circulation so I end up with purple toes and chillblains

I want the Uniqlo leggings but they never seem to stock them in my size.

Any other recommendations?

How are you all staying warm?

I'm afraid I came on here to recommend Uniqlo. I have one of their women's tops, and also their waffle weave men's stuff, all of which works wonders.

If you're really cold, the best way to keep your hands and feet warm is to keep your head warm, I'm afraid. I wear my hoodie indoors.

Another thing that really helps is exercise, ideally out in the cold, but wherever. Really warms you up.

Howies Merino

££££, but marvellously warm, last forever (mine are about 5 years old and still going strong), don't smell, and you can wear them as top layers in warmer weather.

Thanks for that. I'd never heard of Howies.

I do wear a hat but it doesn't keep my extremities warm.

Maybe I'll get the Uniqlo leggings even if they're too big.

Rosa, not v glam, but you could get the men's Uniqlo leggings if they are sold out of the ladies' ones in your size. Or, also not v glam, stockings (esp woollen ones) under your trousers/jeans?

If you're not bothered about fashion, go to Millets! I bought some for skiing years ago, have been wearing them for the past month. Toasty toasty warm.

No-one's going to see them ...

Not bothered about fashion at all when it comes to thermals! Does such a thing as fashionable thermals exist ?

I don't think there's a Millets near me though.

I have bought the Uniqlo heat tech tops and they really are good. I kept telling my dh how warm they were so he made me order him a couple too!
I

I was going to say uniqlo too!

I live in their heattech tops at the moment, I have been known to wear 2 on the really chilly days.

I would recommend Ice breaker thermals (it's not like anyone sees them anyway), they are so much better than the Helly or fashion brands for staying warm as long as you don't plan to be too wet (ie wearing them for sailing or canoeing without a dry layer). I don't mean a bit of snow, they are fine skiing. I have tried loads of different ones, for outdoor sports and love the icebreaker ones. They are no thicker than a normal skinny T-shirt or vest either.

Second vote for Ice Breaker here

I am particularly susceptible to the cold and I found Ice Breaker to be the best available. I wear them for skiing but I also wear them back at home on colder days too.

I have an assortment of base layers and mid-layers. They come in different weights too so you can pick the best for you.

An alternative would be TK Maxx. I bought a Drizabone base layer from there last year. Fine knit but very warm - about a tenner, iirc. You can buy ski wear from TK Maxx online now.

If you suffer from cold feet I got some dammart thermal "sockovers" in the charity shop for 50p. They are fucking hideous sludgy brown efforts that look like trainer socks but are very thin and go on over your socks for when you are wearing boots.

Matalan had men's pringle thermal t shirts. Might be ok if you get small size.

oh and for leggings......Tesco do a fab range of thermal leggings which I have found very good. Ditto M&S.

Final recommendation would be the merino layers at Muddy Puddles. Go for the age 13+ - they are very generous sizing and very good quality.

I also love Ice Breaker merino wool thermals - you can sometimes get discontinued colours/styles in the sales. Also like silk. Both are thin so don't show up under clothes.

i bought small men's thermal longjohns from peacocks - very cheap and they keep me warm whilst watching football/rugby matches - wear them under trousers

For cold feet........cashmere socks and/or Ugg Boots. My feet are permanently cold but that has been transformed with both of the above since Christmas

The Uniqlo Heat Tech stuff looks good (and it's all reduced at the moment too), but I'm not finding them as effective as old-fashioned ugly thermals

I wish I could afford some Howies merino

Brilliant recommendations. Thank you!

Oh Oh Oh... You needed to be on my Norwegians and Russians thread.

Aldi were just selling merino thermals really cheaply and I am wearing some (we pretty much bought all the local stock that was left ) today and they are bloody brilliant.

Now I just need some for the kids and we can turn the central heating off....

And I never go in Aldi. I was there, with lots of other middle class ponces, looking at all the ski-wear

Aldi's ski gloves (I have also discovered today) and ski socks are also bloody brilliant.

I love m and s. they have started o do coolercolours and do long sleeves. Wish i could afford howies though.

I got some more Uniqlo thermals in the end (tops, not bottoms because they hardly seem to stock any of the ladies' leggings). Just been wearing normal leggings/tights under trousers.

Best thing though is my mum has lent me some silk glove liners. They're brilliant. Finally my fingers don't feel like they're permanently frostbitten.